IRSST Highlights Hazards of Two-Post Car Lifts

A new study from the Quebec-based research organization IRSST details the hazards associated with two-post, above-ground (2PAG) automotive lifts, which allow mechanics easy access to the undersides of vehicles for maintenance purposes. The study was requested by Auto Prévention, a nonprofit organization that addresses occupational health and safety issues in the automotive sector.

The study incorporates insights from ergonomists and engineers to identify risk factors in the use of 2PAG lifts. Accounting for the lift’s load capacity is not by itself adequate to ensure safety when lifting large vehicles such as pickup trucks, the study notes. Wear and tear on lift components increases risk, and users must ensure that the pads on which a vehicle rests are centered under the lifting point. Items left in a vehicle’s trunk or truck bed can affect the center of gravity.

Responsibility for safe lifting extends beyond the mechanics. The study recommends that workers who assign jobs to mechanical staff assess the rustiness and heaviness of the vehicle as well as the mechanic’s experience level.

Possible solutions for preventing accidents related to the use of 2PAG lifts include choosing more versatile lifts, involving experienced mechanics in lift selection, conducting inspection and maintenance on the lifts, allowing sufficient time for riskier lifts, and performing a stability test on all vehicles before they are completely lifted.

The full study, written in French, as well as an English-language summary (PDF) are available from the IRSST website.

IRSST is the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, which conducts and funds research intended to eliminate risk to worker health and safety. For more information, visit the IRSST website.